Bridle bit



L. L. RUPERT June 25, 1935.

BRIDLE BIT Filed Jan. 26, 1954 I nvenfor f1 tlorney Patented June 25, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to a bridle bit, the general object of the invention being to provide a bit, the parts of which are of tubular construction so that the bit will be very light and to so form and arrange the parts that there is no danger of pinching or injuring a horses mouth and to so form the cross piece that it will clear the horses tongue when the reins are pulled back.

This invention also consists in certain other features of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, to be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing and specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In describing the invention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying drawing wherein like characters denote like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which:'

Figure l is a side view of the improved bit. Figure 2 is a rear view thereof. Figure 3 is a section on line 33 of Figure 2. Figure 4 is a section on line 4-4 of Figure 1. In this drawing, the numeral l indicates the side shanks and the numeral 2 the cross piece. The rein rings are shown at 3 at the lower ends of the shanks and the bridle and curb rings are shown at 4 at the upper ends of the shanks. The snaffle rings are shown at 5 and each of these rings 5 is of substantially semi-circular shape with its upper end connecting to the ring 4 adjacent the point where said ring joins the shank and the other end of the member 5 joins an intermediate part of the shank. These parts I, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are all of hollow or tubular form, as shown, so that the bit is of the minimum weight, and as it is preferably formed of chrome-molybdenum steel, the bit has great strength, will not rust, as it is completely chromium-plated and is always smooth. The lower end of each shank slightly curves rearwardly and the cross piece 2 has its central portion bowed upwardly, as shown, While the rings 4 slope upwardly and outwardly, as shown in Figure 2. On each shank below the member 5 is formed the small lip strap ring 6. The curve of the mouth piece or cross piece 2 is for the purpose of raising and clearing the horses tongue when the reins are pulled back and when the bit is lying loose or in a natural position in the mouth of the horse, the curve affords clearance for, the tongue.

The entire bit is welded, brazed or soldered together with the same strong material, with all of the joints filed and smoothed and the complete bit chromium-plated, which does not rust and is always smooth. Particular care is used in joining the mouth piece to the side pieces, which are built up in a curve-like form, which is also smooth, not having sharp right angle connection at this joint and does not pinch the corner of a horses mouth. The sides or shanks are slightly bent backwardly for the purpose of allowing the reins to be in position and ready to pull back when a horse throws his head high, also all reins are stationary, which on other bits are loose and this causes the reins to twist and get out-of position.

The bit is especially adaptable to polo ponies, in that in using this bit, it is practically impossible for a polo pony to contract the cold jaw, which is very common in practically all bits now used.

It is thought from the foregoing description that the advantages and novel features of the invention will be readily apparent.

It is to be understood that changes may be made in the construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, pro- 'vided that such changes fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A bit of the class described comprising a pair of side shanks, a cross piece having its ends integrally connected with the upper portions of the shanks, upper and lower rings connected with the ends of the shanks, a single substantially semi-circular member connected at its lower end to an intermediate part of the rear portion of each shank and its upper ends connected to the upper ring adjacent the point of connection of said ring with the upper end of the shank, the cross piece having its central part bowed upwardly, the lower parts of the shanks being bent slightly rearwardly, each shank being of substantially circular shape in cross section and the cross piece being of substantially circular shape in cross section, the shanks, the cross piece, the rings and the semi-circular members all being of hollow construction and formed of molybdenum chromium plated metal and all of the parts being integrally connected together, with the junction of the cross piece with the shanks b'eing rounded outwardly to eliminate sharp corners.

2. A bit of the class described comprising a pair of side shanks, a cross piece having its ends integrally connected with the upper portions of the shanks, upper and lower rings connected with the ends of the shanks, a single substantially semicircular member connected at its lower end to an intermediate part of the rear portion of each shank and its upper end connected to the upper ring adjacent the point of connection of said ring with the upper end of the shank, the cross piece having its central part bowed upwardly, the lower parts of the shanks being bent slightly rearwardly, each shank being of substantially circular shape in cross section and the cross piece being of substantially circular shape in cross section, the shanks, the cross piece, the rings and the semi-circular members all being of hollow metal construction and all of the parts being integrally connected together, with the junction of the cross piece with the shanks being rounded outwardly to eliminate sharp corners.

LILBURN L. RUPERT. 

